Author(s): Susan Brocker

NZ Senior Fiction

Ben’s mother is dead, his father is in jail, and his older brother is heading off the rails at a million kilometres an hour. The social worker is fast running out of options, when the boys’ aunt and uncle reluctantly agree to take them in. Just as well: they were the last on her list. Ben’s uncle has bought a guard dog from a man at the pub, but she’s useless — afraid of loud voices and frightened of her own shadow — and he’s decided to have her put down. Ben and the unwanted dog recognize each other for what they are — damaged goods — and find some comfort and companionship together, which slowly grows into love and trust. That love will be needed when Ben’s brother gets into seriously bad trouble, and Ben’s trust in his dog is put to the ultimate test. Saving Sam is a gripping, fast-paced. and thought-provoking novel about a sad and lonely boy and the dog he grows to love. But the story also deals with dysfunctional families, bullying, and drug dealing – all issues that many teenagers may have to confront at some time.